Like many others whose office jobs have turned remote [1], I've decided to relocate home to be around family, eat homemade meals, relax in the sun, and enjoy a good ole' fashioned New England summer. Ordinarily, I'd be in foggy San Francisco working in a small apartment on top of roommates, so this seemed like a viable (and enjoyable) option given the uncertain times [2] we're living in. The thought of working from my patio and being graciously hand-delivered delicious meals sounded like a dream, and I have to say, it has yet to disappoint me. However, there is one very minor detail about this adjusted work-from-home lifestyle that has driven me up a wall: my parents don't understand the concept of remote work — like, at all.

While I do enjoy my mother offering up sandwiches on lunch breaks (thank you!) and my dad snagging me that A+ office chair he found on the side of the road, there are some things, as good roommates, you just can't do. For example, you can't talk to me during a meeting, or better yet, come outside and try to tan in the background of my very important video call (cough, mom, cough). I understand this lifestyle is new to some parents [3], but wow was it an adjustment for mine to wrap their heads around. I'm by no means complaining, as the positives of working remotely with my parents outweigh the negatives by a landslide, but if you're in the same position, please take some time to indulge in the hilarious GIFs ahead that I feel are true to my life (and quite possibly yours).

When they ask if you're done working and it's a quarter past 11 . . . in the morning.

Believe it or not, I still have another six hours to go.

That 20-minute conversation they want to have with you while you're in the middle of a task.

I'm a little busy here.

When they finally leave for errands, only to return in the middle of a conference call.

Perfect timing.

When you're in a meeting and they barge in to have a full-blown conversation.

I'm kind of in the middle of something here.

When they start cooking at odd hours and you're just trying to concentrate.

That food smells good and it's distracting, okay?

Me: Hey Dad, do you think you can be quieter when I have a meeting? Him: Well it's MY house.

Oh, okay then. Got it.

When they don't understand you're 9-5, because they don't work 9-5.

Yes, I work eight-hours straight Monday through Friday.

When they tell you every single time they leave the house.

"I'm going to the bank and going shopping!"

When the house phone rings and your parents answer in their superloud "phone voice."

"HELLO?!"

When they comment on your attire: "You're wearing THAT?"

Yes, and I'm proud of it.

When they get the low-down on some Facebook drama, and they need to relay the info.

Alright, I guess I'll take lunch.

But overall, you have to appreciate them for letting you live there.

It's really not that bad after all.